Eurosatory 2024: KNDS's new EMBT-ADT 140 main battle tank improves the E-MBT with a 140mm gun.

On June 17, 2024, KNDS unveiled a new variant of the E-MBT main battle tank, the EMBT-ADT 140, at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition. The EMBT-ADT 140, which features a 140mm AscalonR gun, a coaxial 102mm gun, along with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) with a 30mm gun, is scheduled for a firing-on-the-move demonstration in 2025.
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The new variant of the E-MBT main battle tank, the EMBT-ADT 140, features a 140mm AscalonR gun, a coaxial 102mm gun, along with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) with a 30mm gun (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The E-MBT (European Main Battle Tank) is a collaborative project between the French company Nexter and the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), under their joint venture KNDS. Announced in 2018, the E-MBT project aims to develop a next-generation main battle tank to replace the French Leclerc and the German Leopard 2 tanks. The E-MBT prototype incorporates a hybrid design, using a modified Leopard 2 chassis and a Leclerc turret, combining technologies and expertise from both companies. This project is part of broader European defense initiatives to enhance military interoperability and technological advancement within Europe. The E-MBT is a precursor to the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), which is expected to be a more advanced platform designed to meet the future requirements of European armed forces.

This new variant of the E-MBT, the EMBT-ADT 140, features the Ascalon Demonstrator Turret (ADT 140), a remotely-operated turret equipped with a 140mm AscalonR gun. The turret's development is part of KNDS' efforts to anticipate the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), aiming to confirm their firepower capabilities and demonstrate the integration of future technologies such as sensor fusion, integral hemispheric active protection, AI, cyber capabilities, and hybrid energy applications.

The EMBT-ADT 140 main battle tank is scheduled for a firing-on-the-move demonstration in 2025. The tank's technical characteristics are notable, particularly regarding its firepower. The turret includes a 140mm, 48-caliber smoothbore gun with an autoloader that can hold up to 22 rounds. Additionally, it features a coaxial 20x102mm automatic gun with 300 rounds ready to fire, a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) ARX30 with a 30mm x 113 gun, which has 150 rounds ready to fire, and a colinear 7.62mm machine gun with 200 rounds ready to fire.

The EMBT-ADT 140 is equipped with various systems to enhance its operational capabilities. The unmanned turret includes a multi-purpose sensor suite with six APS/Anti-UAS radars, four laser warning and missile warning sensors, an acoustic gunshot detector, and a 360-degree local situation awareness system.

Survivability features of the EMBT-ADT 140 include complete armored protection that is regenerative and modular, integral top-attack protection, and an anti-UAV RCWS with an optronic and radar sensor suite. The tank employs a distributed APS concept for full hemispheric protection and includes hemispheric soft-kill coverage with 22 countermeasure launchers.

In terms of mobility, the EMBT-ADT 140 achieves a road speed of approximately 65 km/h, powered by a 1,100 kW (1,500 hp) powerpack. It has a range of over 450 km on road and a ground clearance of 450 mm, facilitating effective maneuverability in various terrains.